Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

Hand in hand, Fu Ling and Mu Tongrui came closer. Fu Zhenghui examined Mu Tongrui as he tried to

swallow the shock.

Fu Zhenghui was unable to take his eyes off Mu Tongrui.

Impatient, Sweetheart nudged Fu Zhenghui's hand, “Great-uncle. You didn't answer me. She's pretty,

right?”

Fu Zhenghui was pulled back to reality. Petting Sweetheart's head, he pulled up his smile, “Of course.

Your daddy has good taste.”

Fu Lingye introduced them, “Uncle, this is my wife, Mu Tongrui.

Mu Tongrui flashed a pleasant grin, “Nice to meet you, uncle.”

Fu Zhenghui stole another glimpse at Mu Tongrui, “Come on in. Jia's home today. We'll have lunch at

home together.”

As soon as they stepped in, they saw a young girl in her nightgown walking downstairs. She leaped in

enthusiasm when she saw Fu Lingye, “Cuz!”

Then, she dashed down the stairs to jump onto Fu Lingye. Wrapping her arms around Fu Lingye, she

exclaimed, “Cuz! It's been ages! My dad said we're staying for good this time. I can't wait to spend

more time with you!”

Mu Tongrui saw how their chests were touching one another's. The sight of it bothered her as if she

was jealous of his family.

Fu Lingye unwrapped Jia's arms when Fu Zhenghui told her off, “Jia, you can't still jump on Lingye

now. You're not a kid anymore.”

Jia darted her eyes between Fu Lingye and her father, “Daddy. That's how we act around each other.

Plus, he's like a brother. What's the big deal?”

Sweetheart looked up frowning. She warned in a soft yet high-pitched chirp, “Auntie, daddy has a wife

now. I get jealous when you hug daddy like that, so I don't think Mu'mu likes it either.”

Fu Jia clearly did not expect that, “You're a married man now? How come no one told me?”

Fu Lingye drew Mu Tongrui to his side as he grabbed her hand, “We recently registered. Don't worry.

You'll be invited to the wedding.”

Fu Jia was still taking in the news when he introduced her to Mu Tongrui, “My cousin, Fu Jia.”

Mu Tongrui extended her hand for a handshake, “Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Mu Tongrui.”

Fu Jia stood motionlessly. Blinking innocently, Sweetheart noted, “Auntie. You're ignoring Mu'mu.”

Mu Tongrui took her hand back as she sweetly smiled at Sweetheart, “It's okay. It's only her first time

seeing me. It's normal for her to be a bit distant.”

Mu Tongrui could feel Fu Jia's hostility.

Mu Tongrui could understand how it felt to have a brother figure being taken by another woman. It

probably feels worse than having your man stolen by someone.

I don't blame her. If I had a big brother like Fu Lingye, I wouldn't like him taken from me either.

Fu Jia shot Mu Tongrui another uninviting look then turned away, “I'm getting changed.”

Fu Lingye stopped her in an uncompromising tone of voice, “Jia. You forgot to address my wife.”

Fu Jia's frustration was growing. Without a word, she turned back to stare at Mu Tongrui.

Mu Tongrui plead, “It's okay. Let it go.”

She observed as Fu Lingye's face grew somber and understood Fu Lingye gave an order, not a

reminder.

Fu Jia was intimidated. She gritted her teeth then half-heartedly uttered, “Nice to meet you too, cousin-

in-law.”

After that, Fu Jia stormed up the stairs. They could hear loud and firm footsteps travel up.

That interaction displeased Fu Zhenghui. He furrowed his brows, “This girl can be a handful

sometimes. She's not even as well-behaved as Sweetheart!”

Hearing the noises in the living room, Zhao Xian walked out of the kitchen. With an amiable smile, she

asked, “Lingye just got here and you're in a bad mood already?”

“You should see how Fu Jia behaved. You've spoiled her too much.”

Instead of taking the remark personally, Zhao Xian maintained her smile as she acknowledged Fu

Lingye and Mu Tongrui. However, Zhao Xian was taken aback as soon as she laid eyes on Mu Tongrui.

How can this girl look identical to Lan Jing?

Could she be... Lan Jing's daughter?

“Lingye... Is this your new wife?”

Fu Lingye nudged Mu Tongrui, “Rui. This is your auntie.”

Mu Tongrui greeted her with a friendly smile, “Nice to meet you, auntie.”

“Hi, it's so good to meet you. Are you Lan?”

“Oh. I'm Mu Tongrui.”

Assuming that she overthought, Zhao Xian subtly sighed in relief, “I see, I'll call you Rui then. Come on,

Lingye. Let Rui and Sweetheart have a seat. I'll prepare some refreshments. What do you feel like

having?”

A moment later, Fu Jia rejoined the group looking well put-together. She straight away sat in between

Fu Lingye and Mu Tongrui. Grabbing Fu Lingye's arm, she simpered, “It's been a whole year since I

last saw you. You have no idea how much I missed you! Every time I video-called you, you never

picked up! You'd better have a good reason for that.”

Mu Tongrui was shoved to the side on the cramped sofa. This situation was less than ideal, and Mu

Tongrui felt uncomfortable being disregarded like this.

Fu Lingye pulled his arm away, “Time difference.”

“Right! That's a seven or eight hour difference.”

To end the conversation, Fu Lingye stood up and turned to Fu Zhenghui, “Uncle, do you have time for a

game?”

“Certainly! I'm always up for it as long as you are! Fu Jia, go get the chess set!”

Fu Lingye came to sit opposite to Fu Zhengyuan after Fu Jia cheerfully went for the chess set.

When Fu Jia returned to take the seat next to Fu Lingye, he tugged Mu Tongrui to him, “Come watch.”

Mu Tongrui followed his request by sitting next to him, so Fu Jia moved to his other side. However,

Sweetheart quickly took that spot as well.

“Auntie, go sit with great-uncle. Mu'mu and I wanna be with daddy.”

Fu Zhenghui was amused by how upset Fu Jia was, “Jia. Lingye has his family now. You have to act

like a lady and act appropriately around him. Even Sweetheart knows that better than you. Come, sit

with me, and focus on the game.”

Encouraged by the compliment, Sweetheart nodded her head steadily like a little adult, “Mm. Great-

uncle's right. Daddy belongs to Mu'mu and me now, auntie needs to remember that.”

Fu Jia pulled a wry face as she sarcastically commented, “Look at you go!”

Sweetheart pouted, “Auntie, you're such a baby for making that face to an innocent toddler!”

Fu Jia raised her voice, “You? Innocent? You're nothing but a black sesame mochi!”

That analogy bewildered Sweetheart, “Daddy. What does that mean? Is it a bad word?”

Fu Lingye chuckled. He played with Sweetheart's hair as he explained, “She meant you are white on

the outside and black on the inside. That's because you're full of naughty ideas despite your

deceivingly innocent appearance. Got it?”

Sweetheart crossed her arms as she snorted, “I'm not naughty at all!”

Fu Lingye cheered Sweetheart up, “Naughty is not the right word, smart is. And, you got it from me.

That's what auntie really meant.”

As Sweetheart enjoyed the flattery, she crowed as she stealthily shot Fu Jia a cheeky look.